FAMU Law School's Controversial Move on Black History Month Flyer Gets Reversed

FAMU acknowledged an error in banning the word "Black" from a student's Black History Month flyer. The College of Law in Orlando made an "overly cautious interpretation" of Florida law during the event approval process, which was deemed unnecessary by university officials.

Interim Dean Cecil Howard confirmed that the word "Black" and "Black History Month" are not prohibited under state regulations. The controversy arose when a law student was told to remove or abbreviate the word "Black" from her flyer, along with other terms like "affirmative action" and "women."

Guidance was linked to concerns about complying with Florida Senate Bill 266, which limits the use of state or federal funds for certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. However, the university clarified that the bill does not ban specific words or prevent student organizations from using terms related to race, gender, or civil rights.

FAMU President Marva Johnson assured that Black History Month celebrations are allowed and supported. The university has addressed the issue and is implementing measures to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future.

Impact on Students

The incident raised concerns among students, especially considering FAMU's status as a historically Black university. Administrators now state that the restriction on using the word "Black" should not have occurred.